News & Events

Soybean seed protein content is a complex physiological trait under polygenic control and significant genotype by environment interaction. Protein content is largely influenced by ambient atmospheric temperature at pod-filling, with increased temperatures enhancing seed protein accumulation. The identification of genomic regions associated with protein content stability will facilitate an increased understanding of seed development physiology and assist in the development of more broadly adapted food-grade soybean cultivars.

An international research review highlights the potential of gene editing to naturally protect major agricultural crops such as corn, beans, and peas, by enhancing their inherent defenses against starch-consuming insects. The study focuses on alpha-amylase inhibitor proteins (AIPs), which are naturally present in the seeds of wild plants. These proteins work by making the starch in the seeds indigestible to common pests, such as weevils, beetles, and woodworms, hindering their growth and reproduction in fields and storage.

A new study shows that gene-edited upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) significantly improved its resistance to the reniform nematode. The researchers from Clemson University, A&L Scientific Editing Inc., and Cotton Incorporated targeted the MLO3 gene using CRISPR-Cas9 to determine its role in protecting cotton from one of the crop's most damaging pests. Four independent knockout lines (A1, D3, E1, and P3) were generated and tested in greenhouse trials to evaluate their ability to limit nematode reproduction compared with conventional varieties.

Tight regulation of immune activation is crucial for plant health. How plants control the actions of their immunostimulatory phytocytokines is largely unknown. Here, we identify antiSYS as a natural inhibitor of the tomato cytokine systemin. AntiSYS is a systemin-like peptide encoded in a gene cluster with four additional paralogs, three of which comprise newly identified agonistic systemins. AntiSYS is a potent and specific antagonist of the systemin receptor.

A new study has found that reducing the width of rice leaves can significantly enhance photosynthesis, potentially leading to higher yields. Published in The Plant Journal, the researchers aimed to uncover key leaf traits that contribute to crop productivity and investigated how leaf width affects photosynthetic performance and water-use efficiency. The study examined 14 rice genotypes with varying leaf widths and genetically modified rice lines carrying the NARROW LEAF 1 (NAL1) gene.

A stark and heart-wrenching paradox haunts our modern world: while nearly one-tenth of humanity goes to bed hungry, a tidal wave of nourishing food is wasted. Tons of perfectly edible food are lost from the field to the fridge daily. It represents not just wasted grain, spoiled fruit, or discarded leftovers, but squandered labor, precious water, and the energy of countless human hands. Think of the farmer whose harvest rots from disease, or the mother who must choose between bills and a meal, and the sheer volume of resources in landfills,

Enhancing rice photosynthesis is essential for increasing yield, yet the specific leaf morphological characteristics associated with high photosynthetic efficiency remain unclear. This study aims to investigate how reducing leaf width (LW) influences photosynthetic rate (A) and water-use efficiency (iWUE) in rice. Pot experiments were performed using 14 cultivated rice genotypes exhibiting considerable LW variations and genetically modified rice lines carrying the NARROW LEAF 1 (NAL1) gene.

Kasper Røjkjær Andersen and Simona Radutoiu, professors from Aarhus University, have discovered an important key that could significantly reduce global agriculture's dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which currently account for about two percent of global energy consumption and emit large amounts of CO2. The discovery centers on understanding how certain legumes, such as peas and clover, can thrive without fertilizer by engaging in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Scientists are now one step closer to transferring this critical trait to staple crops such as wheat, maize, and rice.

Disasters have inflicted an estimated $3.26 trillion in agricultural losses worldwide over the past 33 years – an average of $99 billion annually, roughly 4 percent of global agricultural GDP – according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security 2025 highlights how digital technologies are transforming how farmers, governments and communities can monitor risks, anticipate impacts, and protect livelihoods.

Papaya (Carica papaya), a member of the family Caricaceae, is an important fruit crop extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States of America. Originally native to Central and North America, its global distribution is attributed to its adaptability to diverse climates and soil conditions.

University of Connecticut (UConn) researchers reported a transgene-free gene editing with higher efficiency than older methods and used citrus plants as a model system. Their findings are published in Horticulture Research. Citrus plants are facing a devastating disease called Huanglongbing, which has destroyed over 70% of citrus trees in Florida. One potential solution to this agricultural problem is to genetically edit citrus to develop natural resistance to the pathogen. This led the UConn researchers to devise a new gene editing method optimized to achieve this objective.

Each year, the World Food Prize Foundation recognizes one outstanding student’s accomplishments and performance as an intern with the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship as an indication of the Foundation’s commitment to continuing to empower and invest in youth. After an impactful summer of hands-on learning and immersive experiences, one intern was selected to win the Internship Excellence Award for her outstanding internship report, personal and professional growth during her internship and commitment to cross-cultural understanding and impact during her Borlaug-Ruan International Internship. This year, Ariadne Pappa, intern at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India, has won the Internship Excellence Award.